West Indies outmuscled England to win the T20 series 2-0 with one to play courtesy of a five-wicket win with seven balls to spare at Kensington Oval. England worked hard to hang in the game, especially with the ball, but West Indies struck 11 sixes to England's six and ultimately their extra power proved impossible to contain.

The big beast, Chris Gayle, who only a few days ago had been wondering about the state of his glutes, commandeered West Indies' innings with five gluteus maximuses, three of them flying onto the roof of the stands and out of the ground. James Tredwell risked a cricked neck as he watched three sail skywards, but still only conceded 27: the West Indies, did not bother themselves with too many singles.

But Ravi Bopara, at his most sagacious with the ball, turned in a commendable spell, 10 runs conceded from four overs of devil's confetti to equal England's most economical full spell in T20. He had Gayle outwitted, chopping on for 36 from 30 balls. West Indies, having patted Bopara back with no sense of urgency, had seven wickets intact and 37 to get from four overs, but the immensity of the task suddenly dawned on them when Tim Bresnan dismissed Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell to leg-side catches in successive balls.

The final fusillade came from Darren Sammy, an unbeaten 30 from only nine balls with the rope cleared three times: so much for a tricky target of 31 from the last three overs. "Good momentum… we're looking good," said Sammy. Nobody could question that. He mullered some attempted yorkers from Jade Dernbach and Bresnan over the ropes and he will go to Bangladesh as a captain content about his own game.

The statistical advantage of batting first in T20Is at this ground - 11 wins from 14 before now - is not quite as daunting as it was. England's recognisably dud start - 26 for 3 in five overs - had much to do with that.

This match, well contested unlike West Indies' 27-run victory two days earlier, probably illustrated what awaits these sides in World T20 in Bangladesh. West Indies, the defending champions, will produce most of the crowd-pleasing moments; England, champions before them, will sneak little advantages where they can, and hope to win matches on the blindside.

Without West Indies-style power at their disposal, England have little to be relaxed about, but there is always the Jos stick to turn to. Jos Buttler hit out with good effect, replacing the stench of another top-order collapse with something more appealingly scented. His 67 from 43 balls was his best in T20Is and such is his growing importance to this England side, it was surprising to reflect that this was only his second T20 half-century, his speciality until recently being limited to violent forays down the order.

It is a fair assumption that as England have agonised about how to gather themselves ahead of World T20, Krishmar Santokie, a 29-year-old Jamaican, has not occupied their thoughts. But it was Santokie who returned 4 for 21 in only his fourth T20 and who collected the Man-of-the-Match award while much of the crowd chatted about the six-hitting exploits of Gayle and Sammy.

Santokie was the none-too-tall left-arm seamer who had replaced Sunil Narine, West Indies' star bowling asset for the World T20, but rested after he had tested his strained knee gingerly alongside the physio in a manner that will have done nothing to calm West Indies' fears about his fitness, even if Sammy optimistically predicted that he might be back for the final match on Thursday.

But Santokie proved to be a wily old bird. First there was the devilish low full toss which Michael Lumb played all around to be lbw (there were theories he might have got a nick but he should have middled it). Then Moeen Ali played so far outside a slower offcutter he was not in the same parish. He returned late in the innings with two more body blows, not just adding Buttler but also dismissing Bopara, who miscued to long-off.

Moeen was one of two England debutants as they rebalanced their seam-dominated side in the opening match - Lancashire's left-arm spinner Stephen Parry was the other - but England's stand-in captain Eoin Morgan, in charge in place of Stuart Broad, who has tendonitis in his knee, rejected suggestions that England had particular problems against spin, suggesting that they have struggled at the top of the innings "regardless of what we have faced." Morgan did fall to spin, his top-edged sweep against Samuel Badree plopping to deep square leg.

There was much desperate thrashing by Buttler and Alex Hales before it got better, most comically when Ramdin dropped Hales on 15 when he called for a skier heading down to third man and failed to lay a glove on the ball. Hales and Buttler eventually found a release, extending their stand to 76 in nine overs - Sammy's solitary over, which cost 17, their major solace.

Hales fell in the deep for 40, a nodding acquaintance with his best form, no more than that, and a prolonged shower disrupted England's innings with Buttler in full swing. Even though they scrambled 43 from the last 33 deliveries a workaday total proved to be within West Indies' range.

England is in deep trouble, most likely India too, with the world cup right around the corner. Congratulations to West Indies on their series victory.

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:19 GMT

@Patchmaster on (March 11, 2014, 21:27 GMT) - Have to say as a big Ravi critic myself - I dont think he did that much wrong. He played out few dots and was rotating the strike well. Buttler was the only player who went at considerably better than a run a ball. Hales went slightly more than a run a ball and if memory serves me correct he was under a run a ball for quite a while. And I think 4 overs for 10 runs including picking up Gayle and dragging the game back for England should be good enough to keep him in any side. If it was just his batting I'd not have him in the side but his bowling in the shorter formats seem to be his stronger suit and we need anyone who can bowl a number of economical overs in our side right now

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:10 GMT

@Maxyboy_123 on (March 11, 2014, 22:38 GMT) I think Sidebottom has retired from international cricket
What I dont get is that the shorter length bowling seems to be a plan and when it so seldom works.It's ok to use it as a surprise ball once in a while but some of our bowlers seem to use it as a stock ball.
The other evening vs WI when WI were 8 or 9 down Bres got clobbered ball after ball and then he bowled a yorker and it was game over.

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:05 GMT

Few positives to take from this as an England fan.Dernbach started to forget to bowl full again and I thought Bres was woeful - his 2 wickets in 2 balls flattered him.
Tredwell comes out with credit again. To be whacked out the ground on several occasions and return the figures he did is testament to him.
What happened to our successful policy of opening with spin in the ODIs (at least at one end?)
Surely Bell needs to be given a go at 3 (unless Lumb is injured)

Finally I dont understand the logic of Wright at 7. We are in danger of having a number player who doesnt face a ball with the bat and doesnt bowl an over which is what eventually happened to him 1st time round

Credit Sammy once more. Still feel he is one of the most underappreciated cricketers in cricket today.

wapuser
on March 12, 2014, 19:17 GMT

I don't think so they will be successful on Bangladesh tracks:@

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 18:10 GMT

while it was a win, West Indies need to develop the skill to take singles, its not always the big hitting. There will be times on a slow track when it will require someone to work the ball. six runs in an over is six runs in an over whether its six singles a six or a boundary and a two. To me this is a gap that currently exists. WI don't have a batsman that can work the ball. Simmons tries but gets out too easily at times. I also believe England played right into the trap by bringing Bresnan back on. Yes he got 2 wickets in his second spell but bowled repeatedly in the V range. A similar lenght/line that got Russell out may have done it.

SkyCutter
on March 12, 2014, 17:01 GMT

WOW. Well Done WI !!!

It seems the World cup prep is in progress.

WICricFan1
on March 12, 2014, 16:21 GMT

What about the rarity of a WI series win?? Lots of talk bout England. Way to go WI keep this up.

Hatter_Mad
on March 12, 2014, 16:20 GMT

@Twinkie - no excuses here, I said that the Windies were always likely winners. However T20 does have elements of luck which you wouldn't see in Test cricket. If you are batting into a stiff breeze and looking to hit high sixes then it is palpable that this is a much riskier operation than when there is no wind. A couple more sixes would have made a big difference for England - even the Cricinfo commentary mentioned the changing weather.

Twinkie
on March 12, 2014, 13:23 GMT

Mr. Hatter, please stop with the excuses! We've had many a match when conditions favoured England. Unless there is something extraordinary it's not cricket to even mention it. Mr. Adjodha, we have some key players missing as well, so that's no excuse. West Indies beat England, everybody! Deal with it!

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on March 13, 2014, 15:03 GMT

England is in deep trouble, most likely India too, with the world cup right around the corner. Congratulations to West Indies on their series victory.

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:19 GMT

@Patchmaster on (March 11, 2014, 21:27 GMT) - Have to say as a big Ravi critic myself - I dont think he did that much wrong. He played out few dots and was rotating the strike well. Buttler was the only player who went at considerably better than a run a ball. Hales went slightly more than a run a ball and if memory serves me correct he was under a run a ball for quite a while. And I think 4 overs for 10 runs including picking up Gayle and dragging the game back for England should be good enough to keep him in any side. If it was just his batting I'd not have him in the side but his bowling in the shorter formats seem to be his stronger suit and we need anyone who can bowl a number of economical overs in our side right now

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:10 GMT

@Maxyboy_123 on (March 11, 2014, 22:38 GMT) I think Sidebottom has retired from international cricket
What I dont get is that the shorter length bowling seems to be a plan and when it so seldom works.It's ok to use it as a surprise ball once in a while but some of our bowlers seem to use it as a stock ball.
The other evening vs WI when WI were 8 or 9 down Bres got clobbered ball after ball and then he bowled a yorker and it was game over.

JG2704
on March 12, 2014, 21:05 GMT

Few positives to take from this as an England fan.Dernbach started to forget to bowl full again and I thought Bres was woeful - his 2 wickets in 2 balls flattered him.
Tredwell comes out with credit again. To be whacked out the ground on several occasions and return the figures he did is testament to him.
What happened to our successful policy of opening with spin in the ODIs (at least at one end?)
Surely Bell needs to be given a go at 3 (unless Lumb is injured)

Finally I dont understand the logic of Wright at 7. We are in danger of having a number player who doesnt face a ball with the bat and doesnt bowl an over which is what eventually happened to him 1st time round

Credit Sammy once more. Still feel he is one of the most underappreciated cricketers in cricket today.

wapuser
on March 12, 2014, 19:17 GMT

I don't think so they will be successful on Bangladesh tracks:@

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 18:10 GMT

while it was a win, West Indies need to develop the skill to take singles, its not always the big hitting. There will be times on a slow track when it will require someone to work the ball. six runs in an over is six runs in an over whether its six singles a six or a boundary and a two. To me this is a gap that currently exists. WI don't have a batsman that can work the ball. Simmons tries but gets out too easily at times. I also believe England played right into the trap by bringing Bresnan back on. Yes he got 2 wickets in his second spell but bowled repeatedly in the V range. A similar lenght/line that got Russell out may have done it.

SkyCutter
on March 12, 2014, 17:01 GMT

WOW. Well Done WI !!!

It seems the World cup prep is in progress.

WICricFan1
on March 12, 2014, 16:21 GMT

What about the rarity of a WI series win?? Lots of talk bout England. Way to go WI keep this up.

Hatter_Mad
on March 12, 2014, 16:20 GMT

@Twinkie - no excuses here, I said that the Windies were always likely winners. However T20 does have elements of luck which you wouldn't see in Test cricket. If you are batting into a stiff breeze and looking to hit high sixes then it is palpable that this is a much riskier operation than when there is no wind. A couple more sixes would have made a big difference for England - even the Cricinfo commentary mentioned the changing weather.

Twinkie
on March 12, 2014, 13:23 GMT

Mr. Hatter, please stop with the excuses! We've had many a match when conditions favoured England. Unless there is something extraordinary it's not cricket to even mention it. Mr. Adjodha, we have some key players missing as well, so that's no excuse. West Indies beat England, everybody! Deal with it!

KrikIndFan
on March 12, 2014, 13:20 GMT

This sums up why both, the format T20 & WI team can be very unpredictable. More excitement added to the upcoming WC. Can't wait.

Moz.
on March 12, 2014, 12:53 GMT

After tying the Windies down with their slow bowlers, England had dragged themselves back into the match. But, they went back the the "Alastair Cook Bog Book of Obvious Cricket Tactics" and read the part where "death overs have to be bowled by your fastest bowlers". At that point it was obvious what was going to happen next - the same as what happened in the first six. Game over.

If England could find a captain with an ounce of nous and imagination, they might actually win some of the close ones.

pom_don
on March 12, 2014, 12:23 GMT

I just hope after this they don't give Giles the top job he is pretty clueless, Collingwood the way to go!

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 11:27 GMT

I love our one day and 20/20 team - it gives players who don't normally get to play international cricket a chance, the very embodiment of the game!
Of course, if we actually wanted to win a match we'd pick only our best cricketers, but surely that's not the British spirit now, is it?

Zummerrzet
on March 12, 2014, 11:00 GMT

Dernbach? Wright? No need to add the obvious

geoffboyc
on March 12, 2014, 10:57 GMT

T20 isn't my type of cricket anyway, but we know why it's played.
England's selection policy mirrors the way the camp seems to work generally, ie if you're in then you're in. Doesn't matter if you hardly score a run or average 10 plus with the ball, if you are in the circle that's fine.
On the bright side, surely these dismal performances (they only won an ODI courtesy of an atrocious batting display by WI) don't look good on the Giles CV; but who are we to know? In spite of a mediocre coaching record he seems to be the chosen safe pair of hands.........??

RednWhiteArmy
on March 12, 2014, 10:54 GMT

Well the good thing to come from this is hopefully Giles will not be considered for the biggest job in cricket, coach of the England test side. Collingwood is the man for the job. He's from the north-east & they love a good fight up in the north-east.

cricfan94122013
on March 12, 2014, 10:41 GMT

Winning the trophy is all that matters, these are warm ups, if people think what happened in freezing cold New Zealand or even this series they are deluded. Its all about finding a formula and being ready

SherjilIslam
on March 12, 2014, 10:26 GMT

I don't think England can ever be a good T-20/ODI side going by the kind of players at the helm and the mentality of English cricket of preferring Test cricket over limited overs.
How come JD still finds a place in team and KP out of it, goes beyond my imagination.
West Indies as expected is a great T-20 side but is a bit one dimensional. Hope they remain in form and present a good challenge to other teams. As for England, as always they have plenty to worry.

jb633
on March 12, 2014, 10:26 GMT

Not going to put up my usual rant about England because we do the same thing time and again. I think the WI are a lot weaker this go around though and the T20 cup will be won by either Aus/Pak/SL. All the other sides have glaring weaknesses that will be discovered at some stage. I am backing Oz to take it home but they need a performance from their spinner.

Hatter_Mad
on March 12, 2014, 10:22 GMT

Well done WI, the total always looked within their grasp. However the conditions helped, the shower came when England were going nicely and when the wind dropped it made life a lot easier for anybody trying to hoick sixes.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 10:19 GMT

England is a young team that's missing the likes of KP Root etc. WI is also missing a good batsman in the middle. I cant see either team winning Aus SA or SL. However, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 10:14 GMT

@ Nikko Chum wasn't the West Indies under strength in NZ too? No Sammy, Gayle, Samuels or Pollard in the T20? Hmmm how quickly we forget. Well done Windies. As for NZ show me their world titles in any format of the game.

ste13
on March 12, 2014, 9:57 GMT

Why is Dernbach constantly picked - his average is very poor and each game only confirms he is not up to international level?

android_user
on March 12, 2014, 9:32 GMT

Thank you West Indies for defeating Big 3's team. Congrats!

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 8:48 GMT

AND they were chasing 150-odd? Wow, just saw that.... good luck chasing 180-plus in the actual tournament versus actually good teams like the Black Caps, Australia and SA... I repeat, good luck!! You drew 1-1 with Ireland W.I..... please just bury your head in the sand in more than just self-assessment? i.e. shut up? Cheers.... England are under-strength, suffering injuries and are woeful... is this your yard stick West Indies? You learned nothing in NZ did you? Good.

electric_loco_WAP4
on March 12, 2014, 8:44 GMT

Coming t20 wc-BD-is int.-it's going to be a test of skills as is the case in conds. suited to spin/slow pitches.So timing over power,skill>brawn,wrists>muscle will be mantra of success.Of course field/bowling too.Only Aus,SL,Pak are strong in all these.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 8:29 GMT

First, credit to the Windies, definitely in the mix for the world T20. Now for the rant..

I have no idea what England's selection policy is nowadays.

There are a fair few players in there - Lumb, Dernbach, and Wright being the most obvious - who appear to be undroppable. Apparently Dernbach bowled well; no, 1/30 off 3 is a different story. Bresnan hardly seems to be inspiring terror in the opposition but also seems un-droppable. We're carrying more passengers than British Airways.

The message being sent, repeatedly, is that being part of the 'in-crowd' of the England setup is far more important to your career than runs or wickets.

The interesting thing is that Bopara was actually given a full allocation. Given that is has the most consistent record of any bowler in the side, the fact that this was only the 3rd time in 30-odd T20s that this is happened is also symptomatic. We can't bowl him because he's a batsman. Computer says no.

jackiethepen
on March 12, 2014, 8:11 GMT

Cricinfo is such an improved site, not least because of the insightful contributions from Dobell and Kimber, that it seems a reversion to bad old days to get the so-called Bell poll with the questions such as You serious? Anyone but Bell. And Should have been Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen certainly should have been in the team never mind called up as cover - we all know that and we are all disgruntled about it but it is nothing to do with Bell. It's a sign of the times that Bell got a decent vote with those kind of questions. Time to move on and show respect to one of England's top batsmen. To see him sitting on the sidelines is bad enough while lesser players struggle to put bat to ball. There's a history to why Bell was dropped from t20. It's nothing to do with how he played. He's a casualty of Flower's mismanagement. By now he would have been an asset to the side if he had carried on. As for KP, another player who Flower victimised.

Maliduke
on March 12, 2014, 7:22 GMT

Windies always a better side in the shortest version of the game, The thing they have to be vary of is at times 1 feels they have too many match winners who leaves the job to others to finish off. Somebody like Samuals and little bravo has to make sure that all the hitter are batting around them.
And the batting and fielding gets improved with the return of Polli.
Bowling also seems more than decent with Narine, Badree, Samuals in the helpful Ban'esh condition & Rampaul , Sammy and Bravo will be useful with their cutters and Yorkers.

Can't C no reason Y they cant regain the tittle. Go Windies Go

espncricinfomobile
on March 12, 2014, 7:19 GMT

Well done West Indies.Hope you people continue the same form in Bangladesh. especially Chirs Gayle, Sunil N and Samuel... All the Very Best.

bobmartin
on March 12, 2014, 7:17 GMT

Well.. if this is the start of what is termed by the England management as "rebuilding".. maybe they'd better call in a new architect... because the foundations are looking pretty unstable.

ThreePIllarTales
on March 12, 2014, 6:59 GMT

Gayle either smashes it or goes out. That way he gets back to his bathroom mirror quicker ! What a waste of such talent. That said, WI has the batting goods to smash huge totals. Only other countries capable of bigs scores are SL, India, Aus and maybe Pakis. England killed themselves after dropping KP.
It will boil down to bowling to win T20 world cup. Then it could be Sth Africans as the dark horse. I'd love Aus or SL to win but I'd say WI or India given their long explosive batting lineup. Everyone else needs the stars to line up.

Yousufahmed1
on March 12, 2014, 6:41 GMT

@ electric_loco_WAP4 I don't think you remember but this same WI humiliated you in last T20 WC final in your own country in front of your fans and took the WC home, something you can only dream to do. Narine is weak?? You think your mediocre Herath who was pummeled by Nathan mccullum for 20 runs in last over is better than Narine. You SL fans do live in your own world. HAHA

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 6:24 GMT

The rain marred match for close to an hour was with a flurry of sixes by Chris mainly, some of them finding their way out of the stadium, a treat to watch. A no of chances, with some dropped catches [some half chances ]spilled by both sides, but not all of them proving costly.

The opening pair for WI [unlike England] in Chris & Smith used the power play overs, to their best advantage ,at one stage cruising at more than 10 runs per hour.
Sammy's single over cameo cost WI, a lavish 17 runs, but he compensated it by his 9 balls unbeaten 30 runs helping WI to win with an over to spare.Santokie's 4 for 21,had helped to put a brake on English team's progress.

Though the reigning champions won the series ,with a match remaining, it is still a mystery, if they can take the same form to the World T20 Tournament in BD !

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 6:21 GMT

West Indies are always best in T20 format. Gayle, Sammy, Samuels, Pollard, Bravo. These players can change the game in 2 overs. I would rate Sammy as the most dangerous T20 player now. He is awesome.

Darkmanx12155
on March 12, 2014, 5:51 GMT

Well played Windies. Finally there is somethin that these players are good at! With Narine, Badree, Gayle, Samuels, sammy they can restrict any team (except india) to a total less than 150 in BD conditions. (of course you need the fielders not to drop the catches..) and with this batting line up, they can easily chase down a target of 250 even. So lads, I will have my money on this team to win the t20 this year. india has all the fire power they need when dhoni walks in to the side with yuvi but the bowling department might let them down. But with yuvi, misra, raina, jadeja and ashwin in the side they will be the team to beat windies...

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 5:42 GMT

"Power Hitters(WI) rule T20 cricket"

cricthoughts
on March 12, 2014, 5:17 GMT

@abeeb33 , You're funny, you have to realize in T20 , it's faster format and anything goes when it comes to batting, anyone can be knocked around no matter how they bowl sometimes, you're talking like ,Good Captaincy by Sammy , made right decisions again and assisted with bat winning for the side.

notimeforcricket
on March 12, 2014, 4:54 GMT

i did not see this game but certain assumptions... not least understanding that pitches in WI are now much slower than they were so we can expect something similar in Bangladesh. Why oh why does Jade Dernbach keep getting picked? We have to bring Ian Bell into the team. He is probably the best batsman in the country and we need to have some experience in the top 4. Carberry also perhaps. why to M Ali not bowl. It is clear that we need to have bowling options and people like Bopara are priceless. tidy medium pacers. Back in the day, we would have been lining up Ronnie Irani and Mark Ealham. What about Woakes? Remember years ago when Mark Waugh started bowling off spin in the world cup? the faster bowlers will be smashed all around the ground.....

espncricinfomobile
on March 12, 2014, 4:09 GMT

abdee, Windies won it in style mate. with their bowling, they can restrict any team (except india) less than 140-160. with their batting line up, windies can easily chase down a target of 200. With narine, badree, samuels, sammy, gayle, they got the right combination of bowlers to suit BD conditions. I predict thia year too it will be "sorry rest of the cricketing teams, its windies all the way"... only india will have a chance to challenge them with a mamoth total but with only Jadeja, ashwin to bowl, that too is a mighty task!

electric_loco_WAP4
on March 12, 2014, 4:06 GMT

They 1,but its not a reflection of WI team who are mediocre at best.They're made to look good vs even worse Eng.Fact-WI struggle big v spin,is unreliable in fielding,bowling-exp. Narine-is weak.Powerhouses-Aus,SL,Pak-will be too strong for them in t20 WC.

android_user
on March 12, 2014, 3:47 GMT

and bat well they did!!!

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 3:16 GMT

Dont you follow cricket Abeeb33?? Miller is not in the T20 squad..... And we have a world cup days away, hence he needs to use as much of his bowlers as possible inorder to keep them match fit...

Philip1957
on March 12, 2014, 3:06 GMT

"glutei maximi", if you must. But I have to say I think the image is a little contrived.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 3:04 GMT

Congratulation for such a wonderful show dudes … I must say now, it's hard to beat West Indies in T20 because of their huge fire-power.. Especially on this shorter format they can beat any team anywhere now...

android_user
on March 12, 2014, 2:56 GMT

this team was T20champion so players determine very use full Sammy batting as amazing well done

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 2:50 GMT

Santokie, Narine and Badree are the best T20 bowlers in the caribbean, they maintain a good economy rate and take wickets so the rest of the world look out that is 12 good overs. Rampaul need to sit on the bench we need match winners not runs giver, too long playing and very ordinary.

android_user
on March 12, 2014, 1:46 GMT

Thank you West Indies for defeating Big 3's team

Rajesh.Kumar
on March 12, 2014, 1:41 GMT

West Indies has the talent but no temperament for the long forms of the game. On the other hand, England are emerging as minnows in all forms of the game.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 1:41 GMT

And that they did!!! Just put it that way, we just keep getting surprised.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 1:30 GMT

I didn't see the match to make an assessment, but congrats to the boys. I hope the batting fires, and fires well in the T20 world cup or else we can find ourselves in spots of bother. Anything short of a 3-0 series whitewash by the West Indies in this series is not acceptable. Nevertheless, test cricket is the real deal, and I am saying again, we need someone like Sarwan in the test XI at least, to be competitive, seeing that we may tour South Africa later this year.

JoshFromJamRock
on March 12, 2014, 0:44 GMT

Good Win again by West Indies. Not too impressed by Samuels and Rampaul in this game.

Did Sammy had any knowledge that he was going to bowled an over for 17 ? If he knew I am sure he would not have bowled but then again if he don't bowl people were gonna question his role in the team as an all-rounder.What must this man do to please people.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 0:25 GMT

Both matches were exciting. Hope WI win the last one and move in to the championship with a most required confidence.

It is very clear that Sammy has developed his cricket so suitable for the shorter format of the game.

He struggles so much in tests, so why keep him on. Let him continue in the 50 and 20 over game and replace him so that test cricket in the West Indies can begin to climb the ladder.

The board should give Chanderpaul the mantle and make the likes of DM Bravo, or Powell the vice captain to take over. Not sure where Kirk Edwards or Braithwaite stands but they could be possible vice captain as well.

dummy4fb
on March 12, 2014, 0:04 GMT

Santokie easily one of the best t20 bowlers in the world. W I selectors are preventing him from making a good living!

dummy4fb
on March 11, 2014, 23:53 GMT

Bopara conceded just ten in four overs truly a world class all rounder!

Patchmaster
on March 11, 2014, 23:40 GMT

This just makes Boparas 'run a ball' casual knock (when he should have been swinging for the boundary) look even worse. Surely the last game now for Bopara ?

stumpedlloyd
on March 11, 2014, 23:22 GMT

Dernbach went for 30 off 3, Bresnan 51 off 3.5. When one looks at such displays of prowess, what can one say but "Giles!" Brilliant coaching, Ashley, well done. Really looking forward to you taking over the test side. Would love to see Jade in whites.

tutorial
on March 11, 2014, 23:17 GMT

Good game WI!!! Selectors have to make a few changes to the team before heading out to the world cup, Smith had 2-3 good cricket shots the rest was just LUCK,from the 50 overs to present he was never consistent with his batting, Russell should be drop, he does not have what it takes at this level,Sammy should've been batting before Russell, Sammy need to be more consistent with bat and ball after all his batting average is 12 maybe 13 now,his bowling is going downhill, after all he is an allrounder?? It wouldn't hurt to select an experience guy as Chanderpaul who can stabilize one end, especially when there up against teams like the Aussies, India, SA,etc. but WI selectors and head coach Gibson are not capable of doing whats right.

jmcilhinney
on March 11, 2014, 23:10 GMT

It seems like England were at least trying to bowl some yorkers towards the end there. I guess this might be used as an example of why they normally don't. It sounds like they didn't miss some of them by much and yet saw them disappear into the stands. The margins are so slim in this form of the game but I don't think that that's reason not to keep trying.

jmcilhinney
on March 11, 2014, 23:08 GMT

It looked like it might be close when Bresnan took 2 in 2 but that's a fairly comfortable win in the end. Too many wickets lost early and late by England, when they really wanted to be able to hit out. Good to see a couple more batsmen score some runs but they will need much more than that.

I don't follow WI cricket so maybe I don't see the failures but I have seen Darren Sammy bring WI home many a time and here it is again. He seems to deserve more respect than he gets, from what I've seen at least.

The West Indies is always an unpredictable team. They will defend the World T20 World Cup. These guys will click when the opportunity arises. If u are a betting person it will be a West Indies vs Pakistan final. Sorry India You are out

Maxyboy_123
on March 11, 2014, 22:38 GMT

I got slightly excited when WI still needed 37 off 24. Then the reality sunk in that Tim Bresnan and Jade Dernbach where going to bowl the last 4 overs. Game over. What I cannot fathom is all through the game it was hard to score off the quicker bowlers, so why did we bring back Bresnan and Dernbach. Surely we can do better than those two? Why not insist on Jimmy Anderson coming back for the T20 world cup? Ryan Sidebottom is still playing. Ok so its not a progressive solution, but it would be a dam site better than the dross we keep serving up.

Snambidi
on March 11, 2014, 22:21 GMT

Beware of this Mighty West Indies attack& performance with Bat.
This can not be considered merely as a home advantage.
This series win by West Indies against England is a clear indication of what is in store for the forthcoming ICC World T20 in Bangladesh starting from 16th of March 2014.
What I mean is the striking power of Santokie of West Indies.
England's experiment with SD Parry. Did not work also.
It looks the the World T20 this month is going to be a more interesting dwell between Ball& Bat than the much acclaimed IPL.
THE FATE OF IPL STILL HANGS IN BALANCE IN REGARD TO THE VENUES!

BailsRgo
on March 11, 2014, 22:17 GMT

So, Morgan thinks England are on an upward curve hey???
Played 5 Lost 5 - quite
How Bresnan, Dernbach, Morgan and Wright are still in this England team is anyone's guess - Can't get much worse can it?
So much for the 'new era' of English cricket
Giles out

mirandola
on March 11, 2014, 22:17 GMT

The article - despite England's humiliation once again - is almost all about the 'potential' of England's no-hopers against a fairly poor side that can at least adapt to different forms of cricket. I join many people in questioning England's policies at this moment - they seem hell-bent on self-destruction. I presume there are deep, incommunicable reasons why space-wasters like Dernbach, Hales and (dare I say it?) Broad are picked - conceivably, there are no alternatives (though anyone who follows county cricket will tell you otherwise) I consider the sacking of England's only clearly world-class batsman; I ponder Root's fracture and Swann's decampment, and I wonder what the hell is wrong here? because clearly, manifestly, without question, something is wrong in the England camp.

abeeb33
on March 11, 2014, 22:13 GMT

OH Sammy!! I totally believe in you! LOL
Next game nikkita in for Rampual!

dummy4fb
on March 11, 2014, 22:13 GMT

Congratulations Windies! The pieces have all fall into place. Santokie must start in a Windies first XI. Sammy's clean hitting bolsters the lower order. Windies must go for the jugular in the last T20. Bring back Narine and totally demoralise England. Whitewash them straight into Bangladesh. Build confidence and a winning habit ahead of the World T20 and defence of our title. Nuff Respect!

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 22:07 GMT

windies should regain their old glory

shot274
on March 11, 2014, 22:01 GMT

Nick Knight felt that England showed some fight. Yes a few nano seconds in the match when they were on top! Pathetic. Windies were never in doubt!

awt786
on March 11, 2014, 21:56 GMT

here we go again, Another BIG3 gone down .. Lolx

Patchmaster
on March 11, 2014, 21:27 GMT

Why did Bopara score slow slowly ? He scored at less than one a ball - at the end of the innings ? Surely, again, he's played for his average and not the team. So annoying for fans to watch him play ODI innings in a T20.

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 20:30 GMT

in future we can see more and more worst cricket game.

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 20:15 GMT

With spinning conditions in Bangladesh, Apart from the top 3 Asian teams (India, Pakistan, Srilanka), if any other team has fair chance than its WestIndies again. Narina,Badree the two regular spinners and Samuel's and gayle bowling 2,2 over each n with Sammy bravo Smith all 3 allrounders, they might only need 1 faster bowler and with badree, narine n faster bowler filing bowlers' slots, Sammy should play at 8 and they should strengthen their batting so that, they may avail the perfect fruit of having allrounders. 8 bowling options... batting till 8 and only if discipline adds to it, West Indies may will lift the cup
From a PAkistani fan

espncricinfomobile
on March 11, 2014, 19:42 GMT

Not good captaincy

abeeb33
on March 11, 2014, 19:20 GMT

Sammy's captaincy never fails to amaze me!From over number 11 its been down hill for windies. Why did he take Samuels out of the attack? Why did he bring himself in when Samules only going 8runs per over? He gave away 17 in that over. Then I thought maybe he wants to change ends for samuels then he brought Ravi Rampaul back and he went for 16! Just that 2 overs gave away the pressure. Personally I was pretty shock why Nikkita Miller was not playing for Narine? and Rampual woulda been taken out for Santokie! Windies Hope you bat well!!

No featured comments at the moment.

abeeb33
on March 11, 2014, 19:20 GMT

Sammy's captaincy never fails to amaze me!From over number 11 its been down hill for windies. Why did he take Samuels out of the attack? Why did he bring himself in when Samules only going 8runs per over? He gave away 17 in that over. Then I thought maybe he wants to change ends for samuels then he brought Ravi Rampaul back and he went for 16! Just that 2 overs gave away the pressure. Personally I was pretty shock why Nikkita Miller was not playing for Narine? and Rampual woulda been taken out for Santokie! Windies Hope you bat well!!

espncricinfomobile
on March 11, 2014, 19:42 GMT

Not good captaincy

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 20:15 GMT

With spinning conditions in Bangladesh, Apart from the top 3 Asian teams (India, Pakistan, Srilanka), if any other team has fair chance than its WestIndies again. Narina,Badree the two regular spinners and Samuel's and gayle bowling 2,2 over each n with Sammy bravo Smith all 3 allrounders, they might only need 1 faster bowler and with badree, narine n faster bowler filing bowlers' slots, Sammy should play at 8 and they should strengthen their batting so that, they may avail the perfect fruit of having allrounders. 8 bowling options... batting till 8 and only if discipline adds to it, West Indies may will lift the cup
From a PAkistani fan

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 20:30 GMT

in future we can see more and more worst cricket game.

Patchmaster
on March 11, 2014, 21:27 GMT

Why did Bopara score slow slowly ? He scored at less than one a ball - at the end of the innings ? Surely, again, he's played for his average and not the team. So annoying for fans to watch him play ODI innings in a T20.

awt786
on March 11, 2014, 21:56 GMT

here we go again, Another BIG3 gone down .. Lolx

shot274
on March 11, 2014, 22:01 GMT

Nick Knight felt that England showed some fight. Yes a few nano seconds in the match when they were on top! Pathetic. Windies were never in doubt!

android_user
on March 11, 2014, 22:07 GMT

windies should regain their old glory

dummy4fb
on March 11, 2014, 22:13 GMT

Congratulations Windies! The pieces have all fall into place. Santokie must start in a Windies first XI. Sammy's clean hitting bolsters the lower order. Windies must go for the jugular in the last T20. Bring back Narine and totally demoralise England. Whitewash them straight into Bangladesh. Build confidence and a winning habit ahead of the World T20 and defence of our title. Nuff Respect!

abeeb33
on March 11, 2014, 22:13 GMT

OH Sammy!! I totally believe in you! LOL
Next game nikkita in for Rampual!